Taking Off the Mask

I had the privilege of talking to a group of Christian women this weekend about identity. Knowing our identity in Christ is crucial to our faith. Unfortunately, the enemy is confusing our identity more than ever in our society.

THE KEY

The key to our identity is knowing Jesus. The enemy constantly sows doubt in our minds. Trying to convince us that we don’t really belong to Christ or that certain sins are unforgivable or that we have to act perfectly and hide our past sins. Though the Bible warns against sin it also reminds us that we should be renewed in the spirit of our minds.

They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! – assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:19-24

HOW DO WE WALK THIS OUT

SILENT TITLES

If we are going to take off the ‘mask’, we have to talk about these silent titles. Trauma often rattles us, causing us to cling to ideas about who we are, such as: abandoned, abused, unworthy, superior, rescuer, the fixer, hopeless, etc. Trauma can cause two responses – I can be a time of great growth or it can hinder us and cause a long-lasting wound. This can happen to ALL of us. Every woman I have ever talked to about their past, has a story about trauma, including myself. However, Jesus can heal these broken places when we keep our mind on things above.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

THERE IS JOY IN FREEDOM

When we are willing to open our heart again and look at those traumatic places, it brings great freedom. We are once again restored and able to walk out our identity the way God intended. In order to set our minds on things above, we must clear out the old junk and filter everything through Jesus and His Word.

Isaiah 40:8 says – the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

GOODBYE FEAR!

So if the world is temporary, why would we fear what the world thinks? The goal is to release our fear of what the world says and cling to what Jesus says.We are locked in this flesh prison until it is time for us to live forever in heaven. We are to be a light on earth and to be an example for those caught in darkness. We cannot help those in the dark if we ourselves are still living in darkness. The book of Ephesians has a lot of information on discerning holiness from worldliness.

Ephesians 5 is especially helpful at discerning sins of the world and how Jesus wants us to walk. We are to flee from things like sexual immorality, impurity and gossip and cling to praise, goodness and righteousness.

NO CORRUPTING TALK

I highly encourage everyone to read the book of Ephesians regarding identity. It is also important to remember that we ALL screw up, but we can repent and return to Jesus when that happens. It’s important to talk about sin, because then we can be set free. And freedom brings true joy! We don’t have to hold on to past sins and the lies that the enemy puts on us. We can cling to Jesus and be healed and forgiven. One scripture I have always loved is Ephesians 4:29:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

This scripture is usually discussed in connection with gossip and rightfully so. However, gossip should include yourself. We are all made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), so don’t say bad things about yourself. God made you beautiful and just right! When you talk bad about yourself, you are speaking against God’s beautiful creation.

LIFE VS. DEATH

During my talk with the ladies I handed out this worksheet. I will put a link below, if you would like to print this out for yourself or share it with a friend. As you can see on the one side there is a picture of the mask that the enemy tries to lay over who we really are. First I think it’s super important to remind everyone what the Bible says about satan. You can download this FREE image here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gKTDz0MTcwJk7NlmtRP3hYIjqLgC6Yzq/view?usp=sharing

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

As you can see from the printout, it’s important to push away these hateful, untrue statements. When you print out this worksheet, be sure you cut these two faces apart. Say a prayer to God that He deliver you from any silent titles, you have put upon yourself, or accepted for yourself. Then I want you to tear up the mask from the enemy, you do not need to keep that side. Then hang up the face that reflects what God says about you. Please remember that satan is a liar and anytime you begin to hear his hateful words or even when you say them about yourself, quickly rebuke that in Jesus name, and remember what God wants for you. God wants you to be healed and set free from sin, illness and darkness. However, satan is the father of lies.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

FORGIVENESS

Another piece to identity is forgiveness. When we forgive ourselves and others we can get back on track with Jesus. Forgiveness is not easy, it is actually super hard for most people. That is why we need the Lord’s help. Ask Him to help you forgive if you have any people in your life, including yourself, that you hold something against. Let our hearts be free from resentment so that we can fully love the way Jesus does.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13

PRAY

Sometimes forgiveness and healing can only happen through prayer. And more often than not, we have a hard time believing that God will hear our prayers. That is another reason it is so important to have close friends that are clinging to the Lord. Share past trauma with friends you can trust and who love the Lord. Ask them to pray for you. It is such a blessing to have a praying friend!

TOOLS

Remembering how to stay close to Jesus can be challenging because we are bombarded with distractions from the enemy. Satan hates it when we spend time with Jesus, that is why he does everything he can to distract you. Let’s kick satan’s butt this year and push through the darkness!

If you feel far away from God, I encourage you to consistently do a few things:

To download this FREE printable, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IRGaDlcMGxql8JiuASmlqyxi12FObpwQ/view?usp=sharing

I hope this was a blessing to you all and that you continue to cling to the Lord!